The majority of homeowners at some time in their life are forced to make a decision regarding the installation of a new roofing system and metal roofing is often considered. This leaves many homeowners exploring the option of a higher-quality replacement for your traditional asphalt-shingled roof like a metal roofing. We will discuss some of the pros and cons of metal roofing versus regular shingles.

Metal Roofing Material

One correction that we need to start by making is that many people still are under the impression that metal roofing is constructed of tin. Tin has not been widely used for building materials like roofing for many decades. It’s far too costly and has been replaced by other metal products like galvanized steel and painted aluminum.

Of the two metal roofing materials the most common is steel, which can be purchased with an unpainted, galvanized finish or various painted finishes to match your homes exterior. It is the most popular because of the cost and durability. There may be limited metal roofing varieties available for residential use in our area, but the selection increases every year as the popularity grows and new products are developed by manufacturers.

Metal roofing systems are considered to be one of the premier qualities, because of the longevity, durability and lack of maintenance required. Once metal roofing is applied to a pitched roof, it may last indefinitely with minimal problems. Unless there are major hail storms or trees falling on the roof, it may provide good protection for the roof system for decades. Unfortunately, that high quality  of metal roofing does not come cheap.

A larger deterrent when exploring the options of installed a metal roofing solution is the upfront initial cost. Metal Roofing when properly installed although expensive is and significantly more money than the asphalt shingle solution. The cost of a properly installed metal roof is not beyond the reach of many homeowners, but is significantly higher than regular asphalt shingles. That’s one of the main reason metal roofing is not more popular, other than in rural areas. You must take into account life expectancy, the cost is not really higher than other types of roofing, but the initial expenditure of resources can discourage many people that don’t see the benefits in the long term.

While higher cost may be one negative feature of this roof covering, there are a couple of others issues that are more specific to our climate.

In today’s` roofing industry metal roofing is generally installed in long, vertical sheets that often span from the peak of the roof to the eaves. This feature combined with out , snow and ice build-up can create a safety hazard unique to northern climates. When the weather warms in the spring, or during mid-winter melts, the snow can let go and cause a small avalanche that may endanger anyone walking underneath the eaves. To combat this, snow guards protruding from the metal roofing are often installed near the eaves — and other areas on large roofs — to hold the snow in place and prevent a sudden avalanche.

For the majority of people they associate metal roofing with the typical corrugated, straight-lined metal roofing seen on rural homes, barns and commercial buildings. Because of the industrial look of this material, many homeowners shy away from its use. Fortunately, now there are now several manufacturers that have created more textured and appealing types of metal roofing that possesses all of the benefits of metal roofing without the commercial appearance. Some of these metal roofing options mimic slate or cedar shingles and may be more attractive than many types of asphalt shingles. Various colours are also available, not just the typical galvanized or green styles we are familiar with on rural homes.

Major Benefits of Metal Roofing

Metal roofing has a long life and problem-free/maintenance free use, but this only applies if the roofing is properly installed. Different from asphalt shingles, which can be installed by amateurs in a sloppy manner and still remain functional, metal roofs must be done right.

Older roofs with drooping or uneven surfaces may have to be strapped to provide a straight surface for the rigid roofing. This may increase the cost due to the time involved installing new wood over top of the old roofing.

Overall, metal roofing may be an excellent choice for your roofing replacement if you have the vision to plan for the long haul. While it may cost more initially, the long-term durability and performance may outweigh the additional expense of a metal roofing solution.